(Flashback to July) The Queen!

Turns out the Queen likes Canada, and she visits a lot. I suppose it makes sense. The rest of the Commonwealth is either dirty and dangerous or very far away, if not both. As a result, the Queen has been to Canada more than 20 times during her reign. There are probably parts of the UK that have seen less of her.

Anyway, when the Queen comes to visit she stays on the grounds of the Governor Generals, which are just a few blocks away from our place. Luckily, we are nowhere near the entry gates, so there were no security check points or even a noticeable increase in police around the neighborhood. On this particular visit, the Queen was due to a function at Parliament House, and we had been told when she would be leaving the GGs to get there. We even heard rumours that – being the Queen - she would make the trip in a horse drawn carriage. And so we took the kids and went to the gate. I am told that there were many 100’s of people waiting to greet her at Parliament Hill, as opposed to the 100ish that were waiting to farewell her over the block leading from the gate to the main road. So few people in fact that I, with Lillian upon my shoulders, was easily able to make my way right up to un-barricaded the curb. Sadly, there were no horses, just a short procession of non-descript back sedans with their (non-tinted) windows up.

Ah well. The Royal Couple did at least look out the windows, smiling and waving as they passed by. Given the lack of horses, I doubt the kids will remember the occasion for long.

(Flashback) Kip and Whitney say Hi.

The funny thing about being on posting is that we are basically borrowing a lifestyle. Sure, it is one we aspire to, but Jane and I have a lot of financial ground to cover before we can afford anything like our current lifestyle and neighborhood.

Part of this borrowed lifestyle is that the kids will be going to a nearby private school. Its lovely. To give you an idea, Tom's class has 20 children in it, and three full time teachers. The other night the school had a fundraiser. You pay your money and then spend a couple hours being ushered through drinks and nibbles at three very nice nearby homes owned by people with names like Kip and Whitney (seriously). It was a pleasant enough evening, I am just not sure what to talk about with guys that run their own – highly successful – business and their suburban trophy wives (or vice-versa, as the case may be). I mean sure, we can talk about our kids, but there is a timer on that conversation. Eventually you break through and find a new topic, or there is an awkward silence in which somebody suddenly remembers that they are needed at the buffet. Alternatively the conversation simply washes around the sides of you like water around a rock sticking out in the middle of a stream. Awkward…

Let me also make it very clear that these people have been nothing but kind and welcoming. There have been no pointed, or even veiled, looks nor remarks. If anything needs to be done, the onus is upon me. To be honest, I find the discomfort surprising. I grew up traveling between wealth with my mom and working class with my dad. I guess it’s pretty clear which of the two penetrated deeper.

Girly, Girly, Girly, BOO!

Jane and Lillian went out on Saturday for a bit of'Girl-time'. By which I mean they acquired one of the most girly things in all the world, a tiny pink ballet outfit. As you can see, it was very well received.














































Meanwhile, the men-folk stayed home and got started putting up Halloween decorations. I intend to add a bit here and there over the coming week. There is plenty of time and plenty more decorations to come.